Project to develop scuba diving trails modeled after Lake George state park

LAKE GEORGE -- Plans are under way to develop a statewide network of scuba diving trails modeled after the underwater state park that already exists in Lake George.

The village of Lake George, representing six communities across New York -- from Lake Ontario to Long Island -- has contracted with S&R Underwater to coordinate the New York State Underwater Blueway Trail Pilot Project.

The project's goal is to boost heritage tourism by preserving and promoting significant underwater sites, including the expansion of Lake George's Submerged Heritage Preserve, New York's first underwater state park that was established in September 1993.

In addition to Lake George, the underwater trail would include Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Seneca Lake and the Atlantic Ocean on the South Shore of Long Island. Other communities involved with the project are Dunkirk, Geneva, Oswego, Plattsburgh and Freeport.

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"The idea is to link these six waterways into a trail to create shipwreck preserves, underwater parks for divers," said Joseph Zarzynski of Wilton, an underwater archaeologist. He's also executive director of Bateaux Below, a volunteer group instrumental in creating and maintaining Lake George's marine park.

It's hoped that similar underwater parks, accompanied by topside signage and museums, will be developed at each location within two years. S&R Underwater, based near Seneca Lake, will coordinate the project with participating communities. The firm's selection was done by a committee of dive enthusiasts, archaeological historians, municipal leaders and state agency sponsor representatives, following a comprehensive screening of applicants.

The $220,000 effort will be paid for by an Environmental Protection Fund matching grant, administered by the state Department of State.

Beneath Lake George's waters, shipwrecks dating back to colonial times are priceless treasures. Experience has shown that the sites can be preserved even with frequent visits by divers.

The Submerged Heritage Preserve already consists of three main features -- the Sunken Fleet of 1758, the Forward Underwater Classroom and a 1758 Land Tortoise. All are listed on national historic registers, and the land tortoise, a type of floating gun battery, is one of only six shipwrecks in American waters designated as a National Historic Landmark.

In addition to these attractions, it's hoped that the preserve will be expanded to include two geologic sites as well. One is called Maria's Reef on the east side of the lake, opposite Bolton.

"It's an oval-shaped limestone outcropping, about

600 feet long and 75 feet wide," Zarzynski said. "It's very picturesque and the visibility is excellent. We want to expose divers to the environment they're diving in, so they'll be better stewards of the lake's resources."

The other geologic site has yet to be determined, he said.

Zarzynski said Florida's historic tourism, on land and beneath the waves, has a

$5 billion economic impact. A 12th shipwreck preserve is currently being developed.

"If we could realize just some of the success they have, it would be incredible," he said.